Complete Daily Nutrition Pellets Built for Chinchillas Product Description Chinchillas need a diet built mostly around fiber, and Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Food delivers that in a single, uniform pellet made from alfalfa hay, wholesome grains, and added vitamins. Because every pellet contains the same blend, your chinchilla can't pick out favorite bits and leave the rest, so each bite still delivers complete, balanced nutrition instead of an unbalanced snack. Benefits Alfalfa-First Formula: Built around high-fiber, protein-rich alfalfa as the leading ingredient to support digestion and energy levels. Complete Daily Vitamins: Delivers 100% of a chinchilla's daily recommended vitamins and minerals with each and every pellet. No Artificial Additives: Contains no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, just purposeful, genuine ingredients throughout the whole formula. Antioxidant and Prebiotic Support: Added antioxidants and prebiotics work together to help support your chinchilla's whole-body health and vitality. Uniform Pellet Shape: Every pellet is identical, which prevents the selective eating that can leave nutritional gaps over time. Ingredients Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Soybean Meal, Wheat Middlings, Soybean Oil, Salt, Lignin Sulfonate, Cane Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate (Vitamin C), Sodium Bentonite, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Yeast Culture, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Magnesium Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate. Guaranteed Analysis Nutrient Amount Crude Protein (min) 18.00% Crude Fat (min) 2.50% Crude Fiber (min) 18.00% Crude Fiber (max) 23.00% Moisture (max) 10.00% Calcium (min) 0.60% Calcium (max) 1.10% Phosphorus (min) 0.25% Vitamin A (min) 10,000 IU/kg Vitamin D (min) 900 IU/kg Vitamin E (min) 190 IU/kg How to Use Dosage & Administration Instructions Feed Young Chinchillas Free-Choice: Offer this food free-choice to chinchillas younger than one year, alongside grass hay and alfalfa. Measure Adult Portions: Feed adult chinchillas over one year 1/8 to 1/4 cup daily plus free-choice grass hay. Limit Alfalfa Hay: Treat alfalfa hay as an occasional extra rather than a primary hay source for adults. Transition Gradually Over a Month: Blend old and new food across four weeks, shifting the ratio weekly until fully switched. Consult Your Vet if Needed: Reach out to your veterinarian or Oxbow directly if your chinchilla is over- or underweight. Additional Information Precautions Guidelines Only: Feeding amounts are general guidelines only, so adjust as needed for your individual chinchilla's body condition. Avoid Muesli-Style Mixing: This uniform pellet is designed to be fed as-is, since mixing in foraging blends can encourage selective eating. Shipping & Return We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details. For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: What is the main ingredient in Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Food? Ans: Alfalfa meal is the first ingredient in this Oxbow chinchilla formula, meaning it makes up the largest share by weight. Alfalfa is naturally high in fiber and protein, both of which support a chinchilla's digestive health and give them steady energy throughout the day. Q2: How much Oxbow's Chinchilla Food should I feed my adult chinchilla? Ans: Adult chinchillas over one year old should get about 1/8 to 1/4 cup of this pellet formula each day, along with free-choice grass hay. Younger chinchillas can eat it free-choice instead of a measured amount, and alfalfa hay should only be offered occasionally rather than as an everyday staple. Q3: How do I switch my chinchilla to this Oxbow Animal Health Essentials Food safely? Ans: Oxbow recommends a gradual four-week transition to avoid digestive upset. Mix three parts of the old diet with one part of the new pellet in week one, then move to an even split in week two, mostly new food by week three, and feed Essentials Chinchilla exclusively starting in week four. Q4: Why is this fiber-rich chinchilla food made as a single pellet instead of a mix? Ans: A uniform pellet means every single piece in the bag contains the exact same balance of nutrients, so your chinchilla can't sort through the bowl and eat only their favorite bits. Muesli-style mixes with separate pieces tend to encourage that kind of selective eating, which can leave gaps in a chinchilla's overall nutrition over time. Q5: Does Oxbow's Chinchilla Food have any artificial preservatives or flavors? Ans: No, this alfalfa-based formula is made without any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Everything in the bag is described as a genuine, purposeful ingredient chosen for a specific nutritional role, rather than added purely to change the appearance, shelf life, or taste of the pellet. Q6: What do the antioxidants and prebiotics in this vitamin-fortified pellet do? Ans: The antioxidants and prebiotics in Oxbow's formula are included specifically to help support your chinchilla's whole-body health alongside the core alfalfa-based nutrition. Rather than serving as the main source of calories or protein, they work in the background to round out the pellet's broader wellness benefits. Q7: Can I feed my chinchilla alfalfa hay every day along with the Food for Chinchilla by Oxbow? Ans: Not as a steady daily staple. Oxbow recommends alfalfa hay as an occasional extra for adult chinchillas, while free-choice grass hay should make up the bulk of their daily fiber intake. This protein-rich pellet already uses alfalfa as its leading ingredient, so extra alfalfa hay is best kept limited.
